Griffin's first chat with the media covered the usual ground: When he decides to run, was said about him, what went right in 2012 and what has gone wrong since, and just what is going on inside of his head.

Williams, like Kerrigan, is set to become an unrestricted free agent after his rookie contract expires following this season, and while Kerrigan signed a new deal on Wednesday, Williams has a more casual approach.

Gruden quickly cast off last year's 4-12 record, noting that the Redskins' "standards are a lot higher" as they begin their second season under the coach and their third training camp in Richmond on Thursday.

There's too much offensive talent for the Redskins to have another inept offense, and the additions of some new players and coaches, plus another year for Jay Gruden, should make things slightly more easy to take.

The Redskins went 4-12 last season, their first under Jay Gruden, but still have plenty of issues to correct even after an offseason overhaul led to a new general manager and the acquisition of several new starters.

Following the first sweltering day of the Redskins' mandatory veteran minicamp at Redskins Park, Griffin was summoned to the side by fans for photos and signatures. More will be expected of him this coming season.

Redskins officials appear ready to start the move, entertaining discussions for a new home with officials from Maryland, the District and Virginia. Virginia would seem to have the edge. But the presence of a nearby NFL franchise may complicate that scenario.

When Redskins offensive coordinator McVay responds to a question, he sounds like he knew what was going to be asked. Answers are rapid and clear. In more than seven minutes with reporters last week, McVay said "um" once. That pause only popped loose when he was asked about how rookie wide receiver Jamison Crowder was handling domestic violence accusations.

Baker became enamored with football in his junior year of high school through lifelong friend Knighton. Knighton -- who was a senior on the football team at Windsor High School in Connecticut -- saw Baker's size, and recruited him to join the team. More than a decade later, the nose tackles would reunite for the Washington Redskins.

It seemed to be a matter of when, not if, the college-style offense took over the professional game, with four youngsters seemingly representing the new breed. Now, not even two years later, those four have encountered a series of obstacles that have dimmed their once-bright futures.

Despite facing the longest of odds throughout training camp — six running backs were with the team, and only three were likely to make it — Redd had made it, the third running back behind starter Alfred Morris and backup Roy Helu.

The first step in changing structure and vibe is swapping out leaders. So, the Redskins started there. Mike Shanahan's stern, veteran approach was replaced by Jay Gruden's more open and self-deprecating style. The Redskins hope that modifies on-field results.

However one describes it, two things are clear: Jay Gruden, as he has often tried to do, has tailored it to his players' strengths. And, come its full reveal for Washington's regular-season opener on Sunday at Houston, it won't look much different from what the previous coaching staff strung together in recent years.

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